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Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, the First UAE Project Management Conference and Exhibition under the theme Mastering Project Management in Mega Projects has been inaugurated today in Intercontinental Hotel Dubai Festival City. The conference is organized by the Society of Engineers - UAE and will run throughout the three days, from 25 – 27 May 2015. The event has been attended by at least 600 local and international experts in the field of project and risk management.

Engineer Essa Al Maidoor, President of the Society of Engineers – UAE and Conference President opened the conference by welcoming all the Honorary & VIP Guests, delegates from government sectors, Presidents of international engineering associations, major engineering companies and experts in the project management field from all over the world as well as engineers and all strategic partners in project management industry. Al Maidoor said “The excellent participation and support of our partners from the government and private sectors, local universities, global engineering institutions and international engineering associations’ shows that the joint teamwork is what distinguishes UAE and it contributes to the progress and access to the Centers for Global Leadership in various fields.”

Al Maidoor said “The excellent participation and support of our partners from the government and private sectors, local universities, global engineering institutions and international engineering associations’ shows that the joint teamwork is what distinguishes UAE and it contributes to the progress and access to the Centers for Global Leadership in various fields.”

He added that all these factors have contributed to the continues high pace of launching mega projects in the country, taking advantage of economic developments that resulted to investing huge budgets in mega projects, notably the Expo 2020, where the world will wrap around Dubai for the period of 6 months; Dubai World Central Residential City will be geared to service Dubai World Central Al Maktoum International Airport and its main facilities, providing suitable and appropriate housing for employees and their families; Etihad Rail, formerly known as Union Railway is one of the most important strategic mega projects, which will provide network mobility that stretches 1,200 kilometers spread over the entire territory of the state; and the Mall of the World, the largest shopping center in the world which able to receive 180 million visitors annually featuring the largest retail space across the globe.

The mega projects that have been launched or those in the planning and implementation phases are characterized by great importance that stands out through higher share of total capital spending, where construction and infrastructure sector had most of the 350.23 billion dirhams during 2014, while its share of the index will rise by 27.2 percent during the period of 2015 to 2017.

He also stated that the first UAE Project Management Conference & Exhibition “Mastering in Project Management in Mega Projects” will provide opportunity to all attendees to participate in various events and benefit from the exchange of expertise and experiences.

According to Engineer Essa Al Maidoor, President of Society of Engineers – UAE, the First UAE Project Management Awards will distinguish the notable contribution of individuals and organization in the field of project management industry in the GCC and Middle East countries.

The winners for Individual category are: Leader of the Year “Towards Enhancing the Engineering Sector” awarded to H.E. Eng. Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Electricity & Water Authority and H.E. Eng. Hussain Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality; Department Leader of the Year awarded to Eng. Sulaiman Abdulrahman Al Hajri, Director of Sharjah Roads & Transport Authority for Roads Affairs; Project Manager of the Year awarded to Eng. Mohammed Noor Mashroom, Director of General Projects Department in Dubai Municipality; Team Leader of the Year awarded to Eng. Maged El Hawary, Project Control Manager of Al Shafar General Contracting; and Project Planner of the Year awarded to Eng. Alhaz Rasidbhai Khokhar, Business Planning Engineer in Dubai Electricity & Water Authority.

Awards for Organizational category: Project Management Office of the Year awarded to Directorate General of Engineering Project – Ministry of Interior; Project of the Year (Mega Projects) awarded to Al Maktoum International Airport; Project of the Year (Towers / High Rise Buildings) awarded to Burj Mohammed Bin Rashid; Project of the Year (Public Buildings) awarded to Al Hayle Labour Accommodation by Fujairah Municipality and Sustainable Project of the Year awarded to Electricity Control Centres of Dubai of Dubai Electricity & Water Authority.

The Basis of Successful Projects, Expertise and Distinct Management

Mr. Maged Farouck Hanna, General Manager of Society of Engineers – UAE, said “As the result of outstanding mega projects that arises in the UAE, the Society of Engineers – UAE continues to provide pioneering works in the engineering sector by organizing UAE Project Management Conference & Exhibition which attracted various government entities, international engineering associations and numerous experts in the field. The conference has more than 40 papers submitted by experts in all areas of engineering sector such as the construction, petroleum, aviation, industrial, infrastructure and other fields.

Mr. Maged added that the study and proper planning of the projects are the most important ingredients for success and excellence for the project managers who spend working in the big team in studying all the aspects of the project and in particular the work and the requirements of the client scope, time, and budget of the project, without taking for granted the importance of studying the project risks. It is clear in practice that most of the projects get stuck in termination that leads to a lot of disputes and claims that is mainly the product of not studying the needs and requirements of the project, the non-registration of change orders, the study of value engineering and the risk effect of the change on the project. On the one hand, the mega projects which is managed in a manner designed to raise, develop and improve the economy of cities projects, that not use the latest methods and techniques of project and risk management leads to the highest risk of closing companies and the collapse of the economy, and on this note comes the importance of the role played by the Society of Engineers – UAE in organizing the conference that provides opportunity to experts to discuss the best practices in engineering projects, risk management and lessons learned from the projects, which represent the wealth of institutions and engineering sector.

Dubai is Keen to Apply All the Smart Cities Specifications

H.E. Eng. Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality said “The UAE Project Management Conference & Exhibition “Mastering Project Management in Mega Projects” is one of the important events in Dubai as it serves as the meeting place to convey the scientifically distinct main topics in the field of Mega Projects. This unique event offers the most prominent scientific subjects and practical experiences in the field of project management and construction of mega projects in the state. Dubai is one of the outstanding cities in the world when it comes to innovations and development in various sectors especially in the field of building and construction which become distinct in the field.

Dubai is keen to apply all the Smart Cities standards and specifications of the urban environment that is adapted to the latest solutions and eco-friendly tools, giving it a chance of continuity and sustainability. Dubai Municipality supports events and scientific meetings that touch the vital aspects of sustainability and the development of the sectors responsible for overseeing the projects and the issuance of laws and regulations in the field of building and construction in the Emirates of Dubai.

Sustainable and Innovative Institution on a Global Level

H.E. Eng. Saeed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority said, "Dubai Electricity and Water Authority is keen to support and sponsor national conferences and forums that contributes to the strengthening of the process of sustainable development in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as it contributes to the overall quality, excellence and strategic planning in all the projects that are implemented. The UAE Project Management Conference and Exhibition “Mastering Project Management in Mega Projects” harmonized with the vision of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority to be sustainable institution and innovative in global level. We adopt a strategy based on the application of the highest international standards in projects management, and adopt within its operations and services the concept of excellence institutional as a culture, our belief in the importance of best practices in the field of project management implementation, our goal is to consolidate the leadership of Dubai as a global hub for business, tourism and the green economy.

Best Practices in the Field of Civil Defense in Dubai

H.E. Maj. Gen. Expert Rashid Thani Al Matrooshi, Director General of Dubai Civil Defence said “Although huge projects are big challenge for entities, we are committed to provide them with excellent services. We are motivated to advance and upgrade the Civil Defence services that reflect the standards and specifications, protection technologies and fire safety systems of different types and usages, including emergency usage. We will also emphasize the importance of having electronic control systems, scientific pre plans and the ability to timely respond and manage risks in a most effective and efficient way.

Creative Engineering Projects

Eng. Ali Rashid Lootah, Chairperson of Nakheel said “Nakheel is proud to support the first UAE Project Management Conference & Exhibition, organized by Society of Engineers – UAE that discusses the latest technology and the latest solutions used in project management in the region. He also added, “We are a leading developer and proud to complete our vision and march through a range of creative and innovative design and engineering projects that would enhance the status of Dubai firmly on the global map through the construction of projects such as the iconic "Palm Jumeirah" and "The World", to make Dubai as one of the most popular destinations that have contributed to live and tourism and business.”

Major Projects in the Emirates of Fujairah

H.E. Eng. Mohammed Saif Al Afkham, Director General of Fujairah Municipality said confirmed the importance of this conference and awards will constitute a qualitative leap in the community and compete healthily between government and private organizations as this excellent conference will highlights one of the main topics in the field of the mega projects. This unique event offers the most prominent topics of scientific and practical experiences in the field of building and construction of major projects particularly in the city of Fujairah, one of the outstanding cities in various fields, as they will see the next stage of large-scale projects in the field of building and construction in the emirate.”

The Development of the Project Management Profession Reflected on the Efficiency of the Implementation of Development Initiatives

Brigadier General Dr. Eng. Saif Hamdan Al Kaabi, General Manager of General Directorate of Engineering Projects in Ministry of Interior said that the conference will contribute to the services and development of the project management profession through access to the actual best practices and applications, which will be reflected directly on the efficiency of the implementation of development initiatives that are executed in the UAE. He also express his happiness about the importance of the conference activities, which concentrated in participating of governmental and non-governmental agencies, as well as provided professional and specialists papers, in addition to specialized awards for organizations and individuals.

Sustainable Housing Complexes Project Management

H.E. Eng. Jamila Mohamed Khalfan Al Fendi Al Shamsi, Director General of Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme marked that the first UAE Project Management Conference & Exhibition “Mastering Project Management in Mega Projects will certainly share experiences that is learned from the experts in the field of project management. Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme is keen to transfer its experience in project management in Sustainable Housing complexes and projects in line with its strategy in the national pioneer and sustainable housing. AlFendi noted that the program has created the development of residential complexes in which the application of environmental requirements and sustainability criteria taken into account in accordance with the best international specifications and standards as well as taking into account the integration of services and facilities in residential complexes projects, coordination with the relevant authorities and investment in residential complexes and future cities sustainable.

AlFendi said that the residential complexes projects is in line with the prevailing state environmental trends and contributes to reducing the level of resource consumption in residential complexes, as the program won awards in the field of energy conservation and the use of global environmental specifications in residential projects. The program will be implemented soon and will house the first of its kind product for clean energy.